NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Apuli, Archibald, Connor, Gharibi, Huynh, Inciong, Ingenito, Izadi, Jones, Jose, Kotoros, Ktenas, Modernel, Mortimer, Nhi, Nunez, Tambakis, Tambetakaw, Taylor, Tonegato, Rebin, Rondinelli and Yasar.
Our wonderful Kindergarten class of 2025 has smoothly settled into life at St Brigid’s. A heartfelt thank you to the parents for their unwavering support in helping our teachers prepare for this special milestone. The start of the school year is always filled with excitement, and watching our Kindergarten students embark on their school journey has been truly rewarding for all of us.
JUBILEE OF ARTISTS - TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
We are excited to kick off our Jubilee of Artists celebration! Here's what you need to know:
- Prayer Service: The day will begin at 9:00am with a special prayer to unite our community in reflection on the power of art and creativity.
- Art Immersion: Each class will have a dedicated time throughout the day to dive into the community art project.
- Mufti Day: Students are invited to wear black, white, or a combination of both to celebrate the theme of the day.
ARRIVE TO THRIVE - ATTENDANCE
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has introduced new attendance levels to better address student attendance patterns:
- Regular Attendance: 90% – 100%
- Targeted Intervention: 71% – 89%
- Intensive Intervention: 70% and below
Each school is required to establish specific processes for these attendance levels and will be reaching out to parents in various ways to encourage and support consistent attendance. Communication will include daily absence notifications, weekly reminders for unexplained absences, and follow-up via telephone calls, emails, and letters.
For students requiring Targeted or Intensive Intervention, this may involve parent meetings and the development of Individual Plans aimed at improving attendance.
Please refer to the office section of this newsletter for fact sheets that will provide further information to assist parents with the new procedures.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
The SRC works as an advocate for the needs of the school community, and as a point of contact between the student body and the school leadership team. It addresses relevant issues and sets achievable goals which support the school.
The SRC aims to:
- develop leadership skills
- provide opportunities for students to create and to implement
- give students a greater voice in decision-making processes,
- empower students to contribute to a positive school culture and
- strengthen the school community through active participation.
It is with great pleasure that I announce the Semester One Student Representative Council for 2025:
| SRC Chairperson | Allaria D |
| Year 6 | Tom S |
| Year 5 | Aria J |
| Year 4 | Ted F |
| Year 3 | Georgina H |
| Year 2 | Jackson Y |
| Year 1 | Lucy G |
| Kindergarten | Semester 2 only |
KINDER ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 ARE NOW OPEN
The enrolment application form is now completed digitally and is available on our school website.
Before you start
Before you start the application, please ensure that you have copies of the following ready to upload (please note if you are applying on a mobile device, you can use the camera function to submit a photo of the documentation). Wherever possible, documentation provided should be in English.
All applications require:
- A clear photo of your child
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Your child’s immunisation history statement (Click here to find out how to access your child’s statement from the Australian Immunisation Register)
- Proof of identity for all parents/carers listed in the application (e.g. driver licence, birth certificate, passport)
- Proof of address for all parents/carers listed in the application (e.g. utility bill; rental agreement)
Only if applicable to your child:
- Your child’s Baptismal certificate (if baptised in a Catholic Church)
- Supporting documentation related to your child (e.g. medical; disability)
- Any court or parenting orders relating to your child.
Only if your child is on a visa:
- Your child’s passport
- Your child’s visa documentation (Please note that we cannot accept applicants travelling on a Visitor [600] or Student [500] Visa)
Applications are due by Monday 7 April 2025.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Parents and /or carers who wish to walk or pick up from school are encouraged to use the Pedestrian gate on Gipps Road (next to the Church) and to park in this vicinity. Not only will this allow for a better flow of traffic on Vickery Street as parents leave the car zone, the crossing in Gipps Street is manned by a NSW School crossing supervisor.
If you do have to access the children's crossing in Vickery Street please be mindful of the flow of traffic. Unfortunately, there are too many impatient drivers on the road that are overtaking and dangerously entering the wrong side of the road and then trying to merge back close to our student crossing.
The pedestrian gate in Gipps Road is opened from 8:30 - 8:55am and 2:45 - 3:05pm
CAR ZONE PROCEDURES
Please follow all the school procedures and traffic rules to ensure the smooth operation of our car zone but even more importantly, for the safety and well being of all our families.
Please do not queue and block the traffic in Vickery Street. You must do a lap of the block or time your arrival when the zone is not so congested. Please do not use technology or be on your phone in the car zone.
The car zone has a 2 minute limit. As we commence calling names from 2:55pm-3:10pm, please do not enter the zone until 2:53pm. Heavy fines can be given as a result of parking in this zone.